Cambridge Ministry 2026

I just got back from a major ministry trip to Cambridge, and I wanted to fill you in on all the details! If you've followed me for any time now, you probably know I co-host a podcast Let's Talk Creation with Paul Garner of Biblical Creation Trust, which is based in Cambridge. Producing a podcast from opposite sides of the Atlantic can be technically challenging, and we're always looking for occasions that we can record together in person. When Paul and his BCT colleagues began to plan a summer school in London, we thought it would be a perfect time to go over. And that's how I ended up in England for two weeks.

 

The first big event we did was a special public presentation  at King's Church in Cambridge with the theme "Why Science Needs Creationism." We had quite a good turnout for such a provocative subject, and I did my section on the curious case of Homo naledi (this was before the news of the enamel proteins hit). I approached the topic as a kind of Barbourian science/religion dialogue, where I observed that our humanity is defined by the image of God and not primarily by our DNA or anatomy. Consequently, I was not surprised at all to see advanced cultural behavior such as burial in a hominin that otherwise "looks primitive." Not earth-shattering at all, but I think my creationist convictions prevent me from saying things like, "No way an animal with a brain the size of an orange is burying their dead." Anyway, the event had a decent turnout, including a few students who came as curious onlookers. That was a fun way to start my trip.

Then Paul and I spent quite a lot of time recording new episodes for the podcast. We managed to record seven episodes, and you'll be seeing those throughout the fall season as we get the editing done. We did a few simple interviews sitting around a table, but we also did three episodes in the field, including an overnight trip to the Norfolk coast where we did a lot of geology.

BCT also had sponsored some research projects from some students in America, two of whom came over for the summer school. At the end of my time in Cambridge, we spent a couple days with them going over their work and talking about ideas and prospects for the future. Core Academy's mission is for the next generation, and I had a great time encouraging them to keep up the good work.

Before we went off to London, we had the opportunity to meet with a youth group there, where Stephen Lloyd of BCT did a presentation on creation and Paul and I got to answer all sorts of questions about the Flood and animals and fossils and so forth. That was also an excellent time with a lot of bright students with great questions.

Finally, we set off for London for the summer school, where we had an international audience of about 15 students. I spoke on an overview of creation biology, our cultural history and identity as creationists, and (of course) how hominins fit into the biblical picture of humans after the Flood. There were many other presentations on lots of other subjects (those three days were PACKED), and I had a lot of good conversations with students and others in attendance.

And yes, if you heard the news, we did survive the big heatwave there, and yes, it was just as unpleasant as you've heard. Air conditioning is not common in the UK, and the temps topped off at 101॰F or 38.3॰C. My American friends are astonished that we just had to live through it with a couple of fans, but the Brits just short of shrugged at it. The heat did not diminish all the good that we accomplished, though.

I thought the trip was a great opportunity to share the good news about God's creation and the work that we do at Core Academy of Science. BCT's offices in Cambridge are relatively new, and I can really see the strategic value of being there. With so many opportunities to minister to the students and the Cambridge community, it's a magnificent place to be. I'm looking forward to more ministry visits in the future.

I definitely want to thank the donors of BCT and Core Academy for making this trip possible! Thanks also to the Lord for the opportunity to serve and safety on the trip. If you'd like to make a contribution to our work, please visit coresci.org/donate. Thank you!

Feedback? Email me at toddcharleswood [at] gmail [dot] com. If you enjoyed this article, please consider a contribution to Core Academy of Science. Thank you.

Have you read my book?  You should check that out too!